Gladness with His presence

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out on those gathered together on the day of Pentecost. It was a monumental event with signs and power. Some wondered what all this meant. Peter stood and addressed the crowd, explaining that this fulfilled the prophesy of Joel. Peter preached Jesus, Who was delivered up by the definite plan and foreknowledge of God and crucified by lawless men. He continued by proclaiming the glorious resurrection of Jesus as He conquered death.

Peter next quoted David from Psalm 16, saying,

“I saw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For You will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.”

David spoke with confidence that, just as Christ was raised up in resurrection, he would be as well. The words of David can give us great confidence and joy as we face the new year.

We do not have to be shaken by the challenges before us in the coming year because God never abandons His children. He has promised to be with us always, even indwelling us. So, with David, our hearts can be glad and our tongues can rejoice and we can dwell in hope. He has given us life in Him and committed to conform us to the image of Christ. Despite whatever situation faces us, we can be full of gladness with His presence. May we keep our eyes on Him in the new year. May we rest in His presence with gladness and joy. May we rejoice in the hope of seeing Him in resurrection. May we be active like Peter in proclaiming these truths.